Slowdown signs - North American aluminum mill orders in April down by 26%

According to the Aluminum Association, North American net new aluminum mill order index fell by 26.4% in April 2009 with significant declines seen in the extrusion and sheet and plate markets. The association's non-seasonally adjusted index is based on reports by 20 participants of new orders (less cancellations) received for the previous month. It said that April orders of extruded products plunged 33.4% from March 2008 but were up 2.7% from last March. For the year so far, extruded products orders were down 36.6%. April orders of sheet and plate fell 35.6% from a year ago but were up 5.4% from March. For the year, sheet and plate orders were down 39.2%. April orders of foil dove 17.6% from April 2008 but were up 21% from March. For the year, orders were down 22.3%. source：steelguru.com